A soldier who died in Canada while on leave from Afghanistan will be listed as a formal casualty in the mission.

Gen. Walter Natynczyk said that Capt. Frank Paul was considered to have been on duty when he died of natural causes on Feb. 10, 2010.

Gen. Walter Natynczyk, chief of the defence staff, said Paul was considered to have been on duty when he died.

"Although his death came suddenly while on leave from his deployment in Afghanistan, he was still on duty and considered part of the mission, and therefore his death is no less important than any other CF member who served and died while in Afghanistan," Natynczyk said.

"It is important that his name be added to the list of fallen."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences Friday.

"Though he died on Canadian soil, Capt. Paul was still an integral part of our mission in Afghanistan and had worked diligently to help bring safety and stability to the people of Afghanistan," he said.

"For that, he deserves to be recognized with his colleagues who have given their lives for this mission."

Paul will be added to the Fallen Canadians website and his name will be added to the formal book of remembrance. His family has been presented with the Memorial Cross and Paul was awarded the Sacrifice Medal posthumously.

At the time of his death, Paul was the adjutant of the health services support unit for the Afghan mission.

The Canadian Forces says that the military has lost 153 members in Afghanistan. Two civilians have also been killed.

With files from The Canadian Press